Laverty to debut on ART as PBM bike pushed to 2nd Sepang test

Paul Bird Motorsport’s Michael Laverty will take part in the first Sepang test on Yonny Hernandez's second ART bike, as the PBM in-house machine’s debut is pushed back to the second Malaysia test.

Paul Bird Motorsport has revealed pictures of its in-house frame, which it will race in the CRT class with Northern Ireland’s Michael Laverty. The PMB bike features a conventional aluminium twin spar design chassis with adjustable head pipe and swingarm pivot positions, and will be powered by the Aprilia engine used in the ART machines.

The build had been on schedule to be completed before the shipping deadline for the first Sepang test, which commences on the 5th of February, though team sources have confirmed that they wish to ensure the bike is at the highest standard, and will delay its introduction until the second test on the 26th that month.

However, to aid Laverty, who has not raced in the MotoGP™ class, to get used to the Bridgestone tyres, carbon brakes, and Aprilia engine characteristics, he will attend the first test and use teammate Yonny Hernandez’s spare ART bike.